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Rape victims treatment reviewed | Rape victims treatment reviewed |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A review of the treatment of rape victims by the police and other agencies in England and Wales has been ordered by ministers. | A review of the treatment of rape victims by the police and other agencies in England and Wales has been ordered by ministers. |
It will look at how rape victims are treated from the moment they come into contact with the authorities. | It will look at how rape victims are treated from the moment they come into contact with the authorities. |
Ministers are concerned that the conviction rate remains low despite repeated attempts to improve it. | Ministers are concerned that the conviction rate remains low despite repeated attempts to improve it. |
The review was delayed last month, when it was reported that ministers could not agree what it should cover. | The review was delayed last month, when it was reported that ministers could not agree what it should cover. |
According to government figures, only 6.5% of rapes reported between 2007 and 2008 led to the attacker being convicted. | According to government figures, only 6.5% of rapes reported between 2007 and 2008 led to the attacker being convicted. |
Although the number of rape convictions has risen in the past decade, the proportion of rape allegations that lead to a conviction has fallen. | Although the number of rape convictions has risen in the past decade, the proportion of rape allegations that lead to a conviction has fallen. |
Separate figures compiled by equality campaigners show a wide variation in the performance of individual police forces. | Separate figures compiled by equality campaigners show a wide variation in the performance of individual police forces. |
The review, to be headed by prisons reformer Baroness Stern, is expected to examine why the conviction rate is so low. But she will not look at the law itself. | The review, to be headed by prisons reformer Baroness Stern, is expected to examine why the conviction rate is so low. But she will not look at the law itself. |
Instead the review will look at how different agencies such as police, doctors and lawyers, work together. | Instead the review will look at how different agencies such as police, doctors and lawyers, work together. |
Police attitudes | Police attitudes |
Part of the review will examine the attitudes of police officers because some victims have complained that their allegations were not taken seriously. | Part of the review will examine the attitudes of police officers because some victims have complained that their allegations were not taken seriously. |
Two major criminal cases have exposed serious flaws in how detectives investigated rapes in the London area. | Two major criminal cases have exposed serious flaws in how detectives investigated rapes in the London area. |
John Worboys, a taxi driver, was arrested in 2007 but released without charge. | John Worboys, a taxi driver, was arrested in 2007 but released without charge. |
Harriet Harman: "We've got to catch the rapist on the first offence" | |
Earlier this year he was convicted of attacking 12 women - and a further 85 have come forward to say they too were victims. The police watchdog is now investigating how officers handled the case. | Earlier this year he was convicted of attacking 12 women - and a further 85 have come forward to say they too were victims. The police watchdog is now investigating how officers handled the case. |
The separate case of Kirk Reid, suspected of 71 offences, has also raised questions about how police investigate sexual assaults. | The separate case of Kirk Reid, suspected of 71 offences, has also raised questions about how police investigate sexual assaults. |
Last month there were reports of a cabinet split over the rape review, with deputy prime minister Harriet Harman reported to be calling for a more thorough investigation. | Last month there were reports of a cabinet split over the rape review, with deputy prime minister Harriet Harman reported to be calling for a more thorough investigation. |
Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Justice Secretary Jack Straw were said to be opposed, saying the review would not be finished before a general election. | Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Justice Secretary Jack Straw were said to be opposed, saying the review would not be finished before a general election. |
Solicitor General Vera Baird dismissed the reports, saying there was "no rift" between the cabinet ministers. | Solicitor General Vera Baird dismissed the reports, saying there was "no rift" between the cabinet ministers. |
Baroness Stern's report is expected to be published early in 2010. She has described the deadline as "tight". | Baroness Stern's report is expected to be published early in 2010. She has described the deadline as "tight". |